Turkey mine explosion: Three suspects in custody

Three suspect were arrested on a provisional charge of “causing multiple deaths” in connection to last week mine disaster in Soma.

13:39 19 May 2014

Three suspects have been arrested in connection to last week’s mine disaster in  Soma. A Turkish court ordered them to be kept in custody on a provisional charge of “causing multiple deaths” five days after a fire killed at least 301 victims. 

 

In total, there were 25 people who were detained earlier. Six suspects have been released while the remaining are still being questioned. 

 

Last week’s mine disaster, which is the country’s worst ever industrial accident, has sparked protests across Turkey over serious safety issues on previously government owned mines that are now being leased to private companies. 

 

The prosecutor did not release the identification of the three suspects in custody but media reports claim that they are the plant manager and two mine engineers. 

 

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Bekir Sahiner has told reporters that  based on the initial report, the possible cause of accident could have been fire that was triggered by coal heating up after it came into contact with the air.